No maintenance is required when a client looks after their concrete product from Sand & Cement. The below advises on the best way to protect and maintain your original concrete product.
Do not drag, slide or throw objects on to the concrete piece. This includes (but not limited to) items such as handbags, groceries, washing basket, serving dishes, plates, mugs, chopping boards, boxes, pans, firewood. Scratches in the sealer could occur if this happens. It is always best to pick up and place an object down. Be gentle when placing items down onto the piece or moving them across the piece. Never cut directly onto the piece. Once the sealer is scratched/pierced this is when it becomes more susceptible to staining. By being aware and avoiding putting anything hard, heavy, rough or dragging items across your top, will help avoid marks or scratches in the sealer. Using items such as place mats, decorative mats or tea towels as a protective barrier can assist. Small stick-on felt pieces can be applied to the bottom of objects to minimize possible scratching.
Damp soft sponge, very mild cleaners or other water-based cleaners are all you need. Do not use products that contain trichlorethane, methylene chloride or have high alkaline/pH levels. Avoid cleaners with a citrus cent, citrus ingredients, acidic based, bleach-based, gumption or Jif. Abrasive cleansers or scrubbers should not be used. Staining/discolouration can occur overtime when using products mentioned (or similar). After cleaning the surface, ensure it is dry before placing objects on top of the surface. Avoid forceful scrubbing if you notice stains or marks as this will result in damage to the sealer. Do not wipe over the piece with the cloth you use to wash the dishes as this may transfer oils and other contaminates.
We recommend our clients wipe up spills, foods or liquids when they are noticed. Try not to leave spills, foods or liquids on your piece for a period of time. Acidic liquids or products with staining agents such as (but not limited to) lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, turmeric, coffee etc. can result in staining/discoloration if left on. For products such as cooking oil, hand soap, hand cream, liquid foundation, bio oil, hand sanitizer etc., place these objects onto a decorative dish/plate and not directly onto the top, that way if they drip down or leak, the dish/plate will catch the residue and not seep into your concrete over time.
If you have items such as (but not limited to) a vase, pot plant, hand soap, bottle of oil etc. sitting on your surface, it is best to place something underneath, like a decorative dish/plate. When water or other liquids drip down or through these objects, the water or liquid can become trapped between your surface and the object, with nowhere for the liquid to go but into the concrete. Depending on the object, once the object is removed, your piece/sealer may be able to breathe out this moisture, but if it has been there for a while or the liquid
contains staining agents, it may mark or cause discoloration. If you notice areas like this, don’t cover them up, leave them uncovered and try to let it breathe.
While durable, both concrete and natural stones like marble are ‘brittle’ materials, as opposed to ‘elastic’ materials (since it’s not plastic). Whilst it is difficult to chip, it is possible, so we recommend being careful around the edges.
As with almost all types of benchtop surfaces, do not place hot pots or pans directly onto the benchtop. You should use trivets or chopping boards.
Weight
Avoid excess weight being placed on your concrete product (for e.g. standing on your concrete piece). This more so applies for areas with no support underneath such as overhang on a kitchen benchtop, the centre or edge of a dining table top or benchseat. This could cause the piece to crack or sag overtime.